An EasyJet flight from Hurghada, Egypt, to London Luton Airport diverted to Rome after a passenger reported a charging power bank in their luggage [1, 2].
This incident highlights the critical safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in aircraft holds, where overheating can lead to uncontrollable fires. Because these batteries can ignite if left charging or damaged, aviation protocols mandate immediate action to ensure passenger safety.
The aircraft, flight EZY2618 [1], was carrying 180 passengers [4] when the crew received the alert. The diversion occurred on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at approximately 23:30 local time [2, 3].
According to reports, the passenger alerted the crew that a power bank had been left charging inside a suitcase stored in the aircraft hold [1, 2]. This triggered an emergency response as the crew assessed the potential for a thermal runaway event, a process where a battery enters an uncontrollable self-heating cycle.
The flight crew decided to land the plane in Rome, Italy, to address the hazard [1, 2]. During the process, the captain said, "There's something in the hold" [5].
Safety protocols for commercial aviation strictly prohibit the transport of active charging devices in checked baggage [1, 2]. Lithium-ion batteries are required to be carried in the cabin, where crew members can use extinguishers to suppress a fire if one starts. In the hold, such fires are significantly harder to detect and extinguish before they compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft [1, 2].
Following the diversion, the aircraft and its passengers were processed in Rome before the journey could be resolved [1, 2].
“"There's something in the hold."”
This event underscores the strict enforcement of hazardous materials regulations in aviation. The decision to divert a flight with 180 people over a single device demonstrates that airlines prioritize the prevention of in-flight fires, which are nearly impossible to combat in a cargo hold, over the logistical costs of a diversion.
